South Africa: MEC Heckled and Insulted By Protesters

What the report says

Residents and business owners in Ngcobo, Eastern Cape, kept the town largely shut for a fourth day on Friday as protests over local governance and service delivery continued. The demonstrations, led by the Ngcobo Yethu Civic Organisation, have included calls for the removal of municipal manager Khathutshelo Mulaudzi, and later drew in taxi operators who raised separate complaints about transport competition in the area.

According to GroundUp, protesters blocked parts of the town and used trucks to barricade access along the R61 route from Mthatha and Komani. Civic leaders said the shutdown would continue until their demands were addressed. They accused the municipal manager of trying to dismiss traffic officers who had raised concerns, and alleged delays and problems around a municipal office construction project. The municipality did not provide a direct response from Mulaudzi.

Eastern Cape COGTA MEC Zolile Williams visited on Wednesday in an effort to ease tensions but was heckled and prevented from speaking outside the Dr AB Xuma Local Municipality offices. Premier Oscar Mabuyane later instructed Williams to investigate the allegations and to speak with affected workers through proper governance and labour processes.

The dispute matters because it has disrupted schools, businesses and transport in Ngcobo while also putting pressure on provincial authorities to address complaints about municipal administration and public services.